Milking-machine-operating system



M. LEITCHQDECVD. Lua. Leuca, Aommsnaix, MILKING' MACHINE OPERATING SAYS-TLM.. A'PPLlcMloN'flLED msc. 6.4920.

A' Patented May 16,- l1922.

M. LEITCII, DECD. ,L- B. LEICH. DIIINISTIIATRIX mLKmG MACHINE OPERATING SYSTEM. v

APPLICATION FILED DEC- 6, 1920. I 1,415,882-, Patented May 16, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

iiJlEREDITH LEITCH; DEonAsEn, Larson POUGHKEE'PSIE, NEW Yeux, BY LUCY BURRUss LEITCH, ADMINISTRATMX, y

` 'ron COMPANY, or NEW YORK,

To all whom t 'may concern.' i i p e it known that `hierrr;mfrn lini'tron, deceased, late a citizen ot the iUnited States, residing` at Poughkeepsie, county of lDutchess, and State o't N eiv York, did inv his litetime invent certain new and useful Improveu ments iu MilkingMachine-Operating Systems, oi" which the following` is a i'ull, clear,

and exact descriptioifi, reference being.,r had to the i ,acompauying` drawings, which form a part oilE this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in means for I )roducing pulsations in teat cups of milking machines, and, it is particularly applicable to milking" machines in 1vhich secondary pulsations are produced in the teat cups by a valve, adjacent `to the cups, operated by master pulsations in a pipe line extending through the barn. p

In a previous Patent No. 1,196,001 issued to` this inventor August 2), i916, is fle-- scribed a milking" machine in vvhich the master `pulsations are caused by connecting the master` pulsation pipe line alternately with a high vacuum tank and a low vacuum tank. At each connection with the low vacuuln tank air is admitted to the pipe, and `this air silbsequently removed at the next ,succeeding connection to the high vacuum tank. The removal or' this air necessitated the use ot a larger pump and more porren The object ot this invention is to provide a master pulsatimr` system operable through one pipe and rtuiuiiing,r less pump capacity andA power.

In the accompanyinggl drawings, Which illustrate embodiments inthis invention:

, Fig. l illustrates a system in `which the pulsations occur simultimeously in all the teat cups, the secondary valve and appurtenant parts being `shown in vertical section andthe remainder oi the system beingl shown in diagram. l

Fig. 2 is a similar View oiz which the pulsations in one pair oit teat cups occur alternately iviththose in, the other pair, substantially the same type ol secondary pulsator` being used as in Fig. l.`

Fig. 3 is a similar` view of another system similar to that shown in Fig'. 2, but in which another type of secondary pulsator is shown.

Referring iirst toFig. 1: a is a vacuum pump exhausting` air from a tank o which 1s intermittently connected by a valve c with a pipeline d having, adjacent to the stan a system in Specification of Letters Patent. `,rppnimion ined neeember e, 192e.

, port u to the right Patented May 16,1922. serial No; 428,450.

chiens,` cocks and nipples `e adapted for connection by a flexible tube ivitlr a" passage g in the cover for theV milk pail `It. A vacuum .relief valve e' admits air to the tank '0 when the vacuum exceeds a predetermined" value (usually about i8 of mercury). Another` similar valve j admits air to the pipe d when the vacuum there exceeds another predetermined value (usually about l5 of mercury). Through the passage and check valve Z air .is exhausted from the milk pail ZL. Y y y Two ports m and a provide communication from the passage g to points near the ends of a cylinder o, in Which reciprocates ai hollow piston and valvep having a Wide central annular groove Q `and two narroiver annular grooves r and s', the tivo last named grooves communicating, by ports t and u reH spectively, with the interior of the piston. At the center ot the piston is a plug having a restricted port e. `The left end or' the cylinder isin tree communication with a small chamber w, the right end with a small chamber e, and the center with a port g/ leading it'rom the atmosphere. Betiveenthe center and the port u, a port e leads to a chamber 1l. havingl a volume about equal to the inflation spaces of a set of teat cups. Between the center and the port m, a port l2 leads through iiexible tubes 13 to the inflation chambers of a `set o't teat cups la, Whose teat chambers are connected, by flexible tubes l5 and passages 1G, with the interior of the milk pail zf.

Then in operation, the puinp e exhausts air from the tank o and also, at each opening' oit the valve c, from the pipes CZ and f, the passage g, the milk pail 7L and the teat chambers ot the cups 14. lith the. valve j in the position shown, the sudden drop in pressure (that is, increase in degree of vacnum) caused by the opening of valve c will he connminicated` to the left end oi the piston, and expansion of the air in the chamber ai will drive the piston to the lelft. W hen the valve has made about tivo-thirds ot its strokeair from chamber 1l (which was previously connected `with atmosphere) is admitted through port z, groove s, and hand end oi the` cylinder, raising thepressure (that is, reducing the degree oi vacuum) at that end of' the cylinder and causing the valve to complete its stroke, Before all this air canescape t0 the tank b,the valve c closes, so that the resultant pressure in the pipes d and f, passage l,of pressure.

ythrough the port Vtubes 13 to the inflation chambers of the pipes ci and' f and passage g,

g and chambers and 11 will be considerably 'teatcups n l When the valve c is again opened, there is another sudden dropof pressure in the which is immediately communicated to the right hand chambers of the f sage g.

end of the piston p, and expansion ot' the air in chamber ui forces the piston to the right, When it has completed about twothirds of its stroke, air from the inflation teat cups, passing through pipes 13, port 12, groove r and port t, reaches the left end of the piston, causes completion ofthe stroke -and escapes through pasrlhe piston and valve p is now in the original position and the cycle is repeated.

with an air chamber 11,

are shown.

The system and secondary pulsator shown v.in AFig. 2 arethesam'e as those shown in i v L 1, exceprJ that the port 12 communicates, through a tube 130, with one or more l (preferably two) of the vfour teat cups, instead ot communicating communicates, by a tube 1310, with the remainder of the teat cups. For convenience, only two teat cups The operation is the same as described :tor Fig. 1.

The` secondary pulsator while the port a,

shown in Fig. 3

' is designed to accomplish the same purpose as thata shown in Fig. 1, but to respond to a pulsation ot a much smaller amplitude. a, c, d, e, f, g, h, z', Z, 14, 15 and 16 correspond to, and perform the same tunetions as, similarly lettered parts in Figs. 1 and 2. y

The passage g communicates with a space 17 separated, by a diaphragm 18, from an air chamber 19. The space 17 communicates, by holes 20, with a passage 21 extending through a valve 22 attached to the diaphragm L18. and thence, by a restricted port 23, with the chamber 19. Around the valve 21 is an annular` groove 221, which, when the valve is in the position shown, provides communication between air inlet ports 2' and two other ports; 26 and 27.

ett the `top of the pulsator is a cylinder 28, in which a piston and valve 29 reciprocates. This piston has, through itscenter,

a bore in which is a plug with a restricted passage 30 and, around its outside. two broadannular grooves 31 and 32, and two narrower annular grooves 33 and 34. These latter communicate, through ports 215 and 21C. with the interior ot the piston. Through the cylinder wall are two air inlet ports 87 and 38, two pulsation ports 39 and. et() (which are connected by flexible tubes 41 and 42 with the inflation chambers ot teat cups 1l) one vacuum port 113, and two other ports, ail and 115, having communication, through check valves 11G and .17, with ports 2G and When in operation the pump a exhausts air from the tank L. At each opening oi'` valve c there is a sudden exhaust olf air from pipes CZ and passage g, pail /L and the teat chambers of cups 14. Because ot the check valve Z, the vacuum is nearly uniform in the pail and teat cups. Air also exhausted suddenly vfrom the chamber 17 and expansion ot the air in chamber 19 forces the diaphragm 18 and the valve 22 upward to the position shown in the drawing. The area oi the diaphragm is so great that a small change ot' pressure will operate it.

lVhen the piston 29 is in the position shown, the right hand ond is in free communication, through the interior ot the piston, port 36, groove 34, port 13, passage 21, and holes 20, with the chamber 17 and the vacuum pipe. Then the diaphragm 18 and valve 22 risc to the position shown, air, at atmospheric pressure, is admitted, through ports 25, groove 24 port 26, valve 46, port 114:, groove 83 and port to the interior ot the piston 29 and to its left hand end, forcing it quickly toward the right hand oi the cylinder 28. As soon as the piston 29 moves to the right, air from the inflation chamber of one oi the teat cups 14- shown passes. through tube 41, port 39, the interior ot the piston 2 9, port 35, groove 33, port 4113, passage 21 in the valve 22, and holes 20, into the chamber 17, helping to cause a quick rise of pressure to 'force the diaphragm 18 down. i'

lhile the diaphragm is in its upper position, air is exhausted through the port 2&1 from the chamber 19, so that the pressures in chambers 17 and 19 approach equality at the low pressure existing in the pipe line. lVhcn the diaphragm is in its lower position, air passes from the chamber 17 through the port 23 into the chamber 19, causing the prossures in the two chambers to again approach equality.

lVhile the piston 29 is at the right hand end ot the cylinder 28, air is exhausted as above described from the lett end. When the valve c again opens, it produces another sudden decrease oi pressure in the pipes and the chamber 17, causing the diaphragm 18 and valve 22 to again rise. Air is now admitted, through port 25, groove 2l, port 27, check valve a7, port 45, groove and port 36, to the interior and right hand nuance end ot the piston 29, forcingr it to the left. Air now comes trom the inflation chambers el? the other teat `cup 14 through `the tube L12, port 4:0, interior oit the piston 29, port 36, groove 34;, port 43, passage 21 and holes 20, to the chamber 1,7, helpingl to cause another rise in pressure to ilorce the diaphragm 18 down.

When the piston 29 is at the left end oit :its cylinder, air is admitted, through port 37, groove 31, port 39, and tube 4.1,to the inflation. chambers of one of the teat cups 14. lVhen the piston is at the `right hand, air is admitted through port 38, groove 3Q, port 4:0, and tube 412 to the inflation chambers ot the `other oit-the teat rups 14. i

(lt the tour teat cups used, only two are shown. Preferably they Will be operated in pairs.

The restricted port 30 acts in the manner described in `Patent No. 1,321,372, issued November il, 1919, to John L. Hulbert, to prevent premature movement of the piston 29 by gradual changes oil pressure due to leakage, but it too small to interjtere with `movements due to sudden cl'iailges l1n pressure.

` l'flaifing neit "fully described this invention, what is claimed and described to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. ln a milking' machine ope'ating systeni, in combination, an air suction apparatus, a single pipe line connected therewith, means to intermittently open communication between the pipe-line and the suction apparatus to cause momentary rediiletmns or `prelssiu'e in the pipe line and alternately therewith to block the pipe line against flow ot an' therethrough, a teat cup, a pulsator, a pneumatic connection `between` the teat cup and the pulsator, and means to pneuniatically connect the pulsator `with the pipe line, the pulsator heilig adapted, responsive to successive reductions olfpressure, to be shifted in opposite directions to cause pneumatic pulsations in the teat cup.

ln a milkingr machine, in coinbii'nition, an air suction apparatus, a pipe line, means to close communication between the pipe line and the suction apparatus and alternately therewith to open said connection to cause momentary reffluctions of' pressure in the pipe line, :i set oit teat cups, a pulsator cylinder, a piston therein, and means responsive to said reductions ot' prr-issure to cause the piston to more to one end ot `cyliinfler at one reduction and to the other end at thenent sucrccdingij similar reduction, the piston and cylinder being1 proyiiflt-ul With. ports and passages adapted to connect the teat cups alternately with atmosphere and With the pipe line.

il. ln a milkingmachine operating system, in combination, an air suction appa-` ratus,` a single pipe line connected thereinder with the pipe lino, a piston rah-'e in the (,ylinder adopted, in one por t; to close the connections hetnet-in one end cylinder and the pipe line and. in t site position to elo, connection bei. other end oi the n inder and the pipe whereby each pressure reduction tends to draw the ipiiston trom one position to the other, e teat cup, and a pneumatic connection bete-'ecn the teat cup and the cylinder, there being ports and passages adapted, in the operation oilE the piston,l to connect the teat. cup alternately with the pipe line and iifith atmosphere.

el. ln :i milking' machine operating system, in combination, an air suction appariift'us-s, a single pipe line connected tl'ierewith, means to close connnunication between the pipe line and the suction apparatus and alternately therewith to open said commiinication to cause momentary reductions oil? pressure in the pipe line, :i pulsetcr comprising; a cylinder and a piston therein, means causing successive pressure reductie to operate suctionally upon the respective ends el the piston, and means operating to produce an expansion ot air npon one end ot the piston While its other end subjected to the suction specified, :i tent cup, and a pneinnatic connection lietii-*eei'i the teat cup and. the pulsator.

5. In a milking machine operating' system, in combination, an air suction apparatus, a single pipe line connected therewith, nieinri to close communication between the pipe line and the suction apparatus and alternately tlierewitli to open said communication to cause n'ionientaii'y reductions oli pressure in the pipe line, a cylinder, means adai'ited to connect opposite ends ol the cylinder with the pipe line. a piston valve in the cylinder' adapted.` in one position, to close the connectioiis betWet-m. one end et the cylinder and the pipe line and in the opposite position to close connection between the other end ot the cylinder and the pipe line, whereby each pressure reduction tends to draw the piston 'troni one position to the other, a teat cup, and a pneumatic connection lfietueen the teat cup and the cylinder, there heini: ports and, pu sages adapted. in the operation ot the i'iiston, to connect the teat cup alternately With the pipe line and With atn'iosphere, the arrangement olf the ports and passages being* such that the air When exhausted trom the teat cup acts upon the end ot the piston that at the time is receding.

6. lne` milking' machine operating' sys- MAO t reine-ee teni, in combination, an air suction apparatus, a single pipe line connected therewith, means to intermittently open communication between the pipe line and the suction apparatus to cause momentary reductions ot pressure in the pipe line and alternately therewith to block the pipe line against flow `ot lair therethrough, two teat cups, a pulsator` pneumatic connections from the respective test cups to the pulsator, and means to pneuinatically connect the pulsator with the pipe line, the pulsat r being adapted, re sponsiye to successive reductions of pressure` to be shifted in opposite directions to lirst connect one test lcup with the atmosphere and the other with the pir-c line and then reverse said connections.

'i'. ln a milking` machine operating` system, in combination, an air suction apparatus, a single pipe line connected therewith, means to close coimnunication between the pipe lino and the suction apparatus and alternately therewith to open said comnninication to cause momentary reductions ot pressure in the pipe line, a cylinder. means adapted to connect opposite ends of the cylinder with the pipe line, a piston valve in the cylinder adaptechin one position7 to close the connections bet reen one end ol' the cylinder and the pipe line and in the opposite position to close connection between the other end ot the cylinder and the pipe line7 whereby each pressure reduction tends to draw the piston `from one position to the other, two teat cups, separate pneumatic connections from the teat cups to the cylinder, there heilig` rports and passages adapted, in the operation ot the piston, to admit air through one ot said pneumaticconnections to one teat cup and exhaust air through the other of said pneumatic connections 'from the other teat cup, and Vice versa.

8. 'in a milking machine operating system,

in combination, an air suction apparatus,

single pipe line connected therewith, means to close communication between the pipe line and the suction apparatus and alternately therewith to open 'said coirnnunication to cause momentray reductions oli pressure in the pipe line, pulsator comprising `a cylinder and a piston therein, means caus- `said connections to ca se the air exhausted from the one teat cup to assist in moving the piston in one direction and the air eX- hausted 'trom the other teat cup to assist .in moving the piston in the other direction.

9. ln a milking machine operating systen'l. in combination, un air suction apparatus, a sirgle pipe line connected therewith, means close communication between the pipe line and the suction apparatus and alternately therewith to open said communication to cause inirnentary reducthms oit pressure in the pipo line. a cylinder, means adapted to connect opposite ends ol the cylinder with the pipe line, a piston valve in the cylinder adapted, in one position, to close the connections: between one end of the cylinder and the pipe line and in the opposite position to close coi-,inection between the other ond of the cylinder and the pipe line, whereby each pressure reduction tends to draw the piston 'from one position to the other, two tcat cups, separate pneumatic connections 'from the tent cups to the cylinder', there being ports and passages adapted, in the operation olf' the piston, to admit air through one of said pneumatic connections to one tent up and exhaust air through the other of said pneumatic connections Ylrom the other teat cup, and vice versa. "he arrangement o'lf the ports and passages being such that the a' when exhausted from either teat cup, acts upon the end oit the piston that at the time is receding'.

l0. In a milking` machine, in combination, an air suctionapparatus, moans to exhaust air therefrom, a pipe line, means to close connnunication between the pipe line and thc suction apparatus and alternately therewith to open said connection to cause momentary reductions of pressure in the pipe, tent cups, a pulsator, ilmeumatic connections between the pulsator and the teat cups, the pulsator beingl operable responsive to said reductions ot pressure to connect the tout cups alternately with atmosphere and the pipe line; said pulsator comprising` a. casingand a diaphragm dividing` the same into two chambers, means pwriding` 'l'rec communi cation troml one chamber to said pipe line and resti'.l c, ed communication Ytrom the other chamber to said pipe line, a valve movable by the diaphragm, a cylinder, a piston therein, there beingv ports and passages in the valve adapted to cause movement ot' the piston and ports and passilgres in the piston and cylinder adapted to connect the tout cups, through said penumatic connections, alternately with atmospherc and the pipe line.

In testimony ot which invention, l have hereunto set my hand, at Montgomery on this 27 day ot November, 1920.

LUCY BURRUSS LETCH, Administratrice of t/'zc csf/fe of Meredith Leitch, deceased. 

